The Lancaster chapter of the S.C. Junior Golf Association garnered a second-place team finish in the annual state all-star tournament last weekend at the Pickens Country Club.

“This was our best overall finish as a team in our 15-year history,” said Lancaster chapter director Raymon Chisom. “We had some outstanding play and I was really proud of the overall effort. Our chapter is right up there with the best in the state.”

Contrary to what State Sen. Mick Mulvaney’s article said last week, not every federal program has led to socialism or even socialized medicine.

For more than 60 years, presidents in our country (starting with President Harry Truman) have tried to enact a federal health care plan that would cover everyone and not exclude anyone for a pre-existing condition. Over those 60 years, Republicans in Congress and their supporting lobby interests have succeeded in killing all such plans.

Choices: We make them everyday. Most, we make without giving a thought to how these choices will affect our neighbors. Being a responsible pet owner, as well as a good neighbor, however, takes effort and thought. Case in point: Keeping your pet (dog) in your yard.

Outdoor activities are enjoyed by numerous people in my neighborhood. On any given evening, you may see a couple jogging, a father and son bike riding or others walking their dogs.

In my first race for Congress a local reporter in Myrtle Beach had taken a few words from an interview and used them in a different context to paint a picture that was far from what I believed. When I confronted him on taking my words out of context his simple reply was, “Life is out of context.”

As one county coach put it this week, the Lancaster County high school football season, opens with a bang.

“It’s a lot like NASCAR in that they have Daytona to start the season, the ‘Super Bowl of racing,’ each year,” said Indian Land High School football coach Mike Mayer. “With two county rivalry games to open the season, there’s a ton of interest on the games Friday, much like our own Super Bowl, but in two different locations.”

After several days on the road, the Beautiful Places van arrived in Lancaster County on Friday.

Adorned with color photographs of state park scenes from throughout South Carolina, the van is on tour to publicize a new book published by the S.C. State Park Service. Titled “Beautiful Places: The Timeless Beauty of South Carolina State Parks,” the 140-page hardcover coffee table book features photos and history from parks across the state, including Andrew Jackson State Park in Lancaster County and Landsford Canal State Park in Chester and Lancaster counties.